Members of the state’s Tourism Commission have voted to close three state-run visitor centers as part of a rewrite of the agency’s budget.

According to a report from Missourinet, the reduction comes after Governor Mike Parson in July withheld nearly $450 million in response to a steep drop-off in state tax revenues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The tourism division’s budget of $18.6 million was cut by $8.6 million.

The closures include one in St. Louis County near the Mississippi River on Interstate 270. Along with the St. Louis location, welcome centers in Hannibal and Kansas City are closing, resulting in the layoff of six full-time positions.

—MISSOURINET